Today ERC presented its work programme for 2021. It is the first approved programme under the 2021-2027 European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe. This year you can send in your application for the Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grants.
Three application rounds in 2021
The European Research Council (ERC) is planning application rounds for three of its five grants this year. Researchers can submit proposals for the Starting, Consolidator and Advanced grants, but not for the Synergy and Proof of Concept grants. Due to the transition from Horizon 2020 to Horizon Europe, the call calendar is shifted compared to the calendars of previous years, and the Synergy and Proof of Concept calls will not open under this year’s work programme. The ERC expects that both grants will be included in the work program for 2022.
New novelties
The 2021 work programme introduces some novelties, such as interviews now being part of the evaluation process also for Advanced Grant applicants and two new evaluation panels.
| Starting Grant | Consolidator Grant | Advanced Grant | |
| Call opens | 25/02/2021 | 11/03/2021 | 20/05/2021 |
| Call closes | 08/04/2021 | 20/04/2021 | 31/08/2021 |
| Buget million EUR (estimated number of grans) | 619 (413) | 633 (317) | 626 (250) |
| Plannted dates to inform applicants of final results | 20/12/2021 | 28/03/2022 | 13/05/2022 |
Download ERC Funding Guide
Would you like to know how to enhance your research career with
personal excellence grants? Download the ERC Funding Guide and find out! You will the download option at the bottom of the page.
“I am very pleased that we have today adopted the Work Programme of the European Research Council. This important step paves the way for launching calls that support top researchers and their teams to pursue frontier research at different stages of their careers. The first call will support young researchers across Europe who are starting their own independent research team or programme. They are the future of European research.”
– MARIYA GABRIEL – COMMISSIONER FOR RESEARCH, INNOVATION, CULTURE, EDUCATION AND YOUTH